World Twenty20: England score an unlucky Nelson and are blown out of the water World Twenty20: England score an unlucky Nelson and are blown out of the water World Twenty20: England score an unlucky Nelson and are blown out of the water Blackleaf #1Jun 14th, 2009 England made a poor start to the Super Eights stage of the World Twenty20 after losing by seven wickets to South Africa, who are starting to show that they are the best team in the tournament. England batted first, and you knew things wouldn't go right for them when they scored 111 which, in cricket, is known as a Nelson (after Horatio Nelson) and is considered an extremely unlucky score. Nelson allegedly only had "One Eye, One Arm, One Ball" near the end of his life. (This is sometimes modified to make it less vulgar to say that he lost "One Eye, One Arm, One Life" during his naval career.) Another suggestion is that the number is derived from his three great victories, thus Copenhagen, Nile & Trafalgar which gives the sequence "Won - Won - Won".

A score of 111 or multiples thereof (222 is called "double nelson", 333 is "triple nelson" etc.) is considered an ill omen in cricket, because the figures "111" resemble a wicket without bails (a wicket is the three parallel stumps stuck in the ground which a batsman has to try and stop the ball from hitting otherwise he is out). So when England posted a total of 111, it wasn't going to be their day. On the way to that total, England lost their first two wickets in the first two overs. When Pietersen came on to bat, he started hitting the ball all over the ground, to the delight of the England fans who thought he would help England to a large total like he did against Pakistan. But even Pietersen didn't last long. 111 is the lowest score England have ever made in a Twenty20 match. South Africa, wearing all green, a suitable colour in Nottingham, required just 112 to win, and they achieved it with 7 wickets in hand. England face holders India tonight.

India also lost their opening Super Eights match against the West Indies, so both teams need to win to stay in the tournament. England have batted first in that match and have posted a total of 153-7. The World Twenty20 - Super Eights stage England: 111 South Africa win by seven wickets At Trent Bridge, Nottingham England: Bopara, L Wright, Pietersen, O Shah, Collingwood (C), Mascarenhas, J Foster (W), Rashid, Swann, Broad, Anderson South Africa: Gm Smith (C), Kallis, Gibbs, de Villiers, Duminy, A Morkel, Boucher (W), van der Merwe, J Botha, Steyn, Parnell Imperfect start: England's Ravi Bopara plays on to Dale Steyn in the first over of the game England were completely outplayed by South Africa in their first match of the World Twenty20 Super Eights. The hosts never got going and were all out for 111, an unlucky score, with one ball to go after losing their last seven wickets for 33.

South Africa bowled and fielded well, but only three home players made double figures in an embarrassing display. There were boos from the packed house at Trent Bridge as Jacques Kallis (57 not out) led South Africa to a seven-wicket win with 10 balls to spare. Two down: Wayne Parnell reduced England to 4-2 when Luke Wright nicked one through to Mark Boucher Having lost to the Netherlands in the tournament's opening match, England appeared to have rediscovered some form in beating Pakistan at The Oval. But after playing 18 Twenty20 internationals this was the lowest total recorded by England, and it renewed fears that Paul Collingwood's side lack the skills required to threaten the best teams in the shortest format of the game. England must now beat India on Sunday, and West Indies the following day, but even two positive results would not necessarily be enough to put the hosts into the semi-finals. In the first over of England's innings, Ravi Bopara left a couple of Dale Steyn deliveries outside the off-stump, then threw his hands at the last ball.

Back to earth: Kevin Pietersen threatened to score big against the Proteas, but Roelof van der Merwe took a superb catch at mid-on to dismiss England's No 3 But Steyn had deceived the right-hander by taking the pace off the delivery, and Bopara tamely inside-edged onto his stumps. Kevin Pietersen crashed boundaries off his first two balls but hit an Albie Morkel full toss down to Roelof van der Merwe at mid-on, and the fielder dived to his left to take a stunning catch. The wicket, which came in the sixth over, was the first maiden of the tournament and England's total at the end of it was 25-3, Luke Wright having already departed. No team had scored fewer in the powerplay section. Collingwood and Owais Shah then struggled to take runs off the spinners, as Van der Merwe and Johan Botha did a fine job on a dry wicket. South Africa celebrate during their rout of England at Trent Bridge But with the overs drifting by - only 47 came from the first 10 - someone had to take risks.

Shah finally struck a couple of sixes, but Collingwood then lost two of his stumps to a Jacques Kallis delivery that he could have hit for four and in the next over James Foster was caught attempting a reverse sweep. Suddenly, England's lower order was rudely exposed and there was only one more boundary from the last five overs - courtesy of Stuart Broad. Wayne Parnell, the exciting new weapon in South Africa's pace arsenal, wound up with 3-14, bowling Broad and James Anderson with consecutive balls - and all in all it had been a very satisfactory showing from Graeme Smith's bowlers. But his batsmen, who managed just 128 batting first against New Zealand, produced an anxious chase in the early part of their innings. Smith top-edged Broad to James Foster, who had to dive to take the skier, and Herschelle Gibbs looked out of sorts - and could have been run out twice. Against England's spinners, the required rate drifted to more than a run a ball.

Final resistance: Paul Collingwood's stumps are rearranged by Jacques Kallis' yorker, and England tumble to 111 all out That was until Kallis, finally getting the loose ball he needed, deposited Adil Rashid for six over deep midwicket. Any pressure there had been was released, and even Gibbs middled a few, taking Swann high over long-on for another maximum. The Notts spinner exacted some revenge when turning one under Gibbs's attempted cut, but the job was almost done and when Kallis passed 50 by driving a Broad full-toss behind point for four, just 13 were needed from the final 24 balls. Rashid enhanced his claims for England selection across the other formats with a lovely bit of slow bowling that saw South Africa's in-form AB de Villiers caught at slip. But the game ended when Kallis cut Anderson to the point fence to end up with 58 from 49 balls.

Aggression: Kallis returned to do damage with the bat, constructing a patient-ish 57 from 49 balls Blinded: despite Stuart Broad's early dismissal of Graeme Smith England were struggling to keep South Africa under pressure Timed: Herschelle Gibbs added 30 vital runs, at one run per ball One-man band? Kallis was deserved man of the match as he almost single-handed ensured England suffered a seven-wicket defeat news.bbc.co.uk/sport A 'Nelson' refers to a score of 111, made by either a team or an individual, which is traditionally regarded as extremely unlucky | The Independent A 'Nelson' refers to a score of 111, made by either a team or an individual, which is traditionally regarded as extremely unlucky Friday 17 May 1996 23:02 BST Click to follow The Independent Culture With its own laws, history and language, cricket is another country, a strange and fantastical land that might have been imagined by Borges.

During those days when the rain sifts down, soft but unceasing, on the test pitch, the radio commentators so adored by our Prime Minister can readily fill hour after hour exploring arcane recesses of the game. From why the ball always tends to "swing" at Headingley to recalling the peculiarities of the "Timeless Test" in 1938, from the infinite superiority of yesteryear's bowlers (a speciality of F Trueman) to the size of stitching on the seams of cricket balls, it seems they can blather on indefinitely. In an effort to decode their mysterious lingo, prior to England's first one-day brush with India at the Oval next Thursday, I've been thumbing through The Dictionary of Cricket by Michael Rundell, published by Oxford University Press.

Ranging from "agricultural" ("adj denotes a robust and unsophisticated batting stroke") to "zooter" ("n a mysterious ball bowled with a wrist-spin action"), it explains that the term "out for a duck" derives from a supposed resemblance between a duck's egg and the figure "0", and elucidates the etymology of the deceptive ball known as a "chinaman" ("from politically incorrect connotations of inscrutability"). Yet when it comes to explaining "Nelson", the book finds itself on a sticky wicket. This expression applies to a score of 111, made by either a team or an individual, which is traditionally regarded as extremely unlucky. One of the joys of the cricket season is observing test umpire David Shepherd, a man of generous proportions, attempting to keep at least one leg off the ground while the game is stuck on this score, in order to alleviate its malign effect. Anyway, it appears that The Dictionary of Cricket is incorrect in asserting that the term "Nelson" originates "in the erroneous notion that Admiral Nelson had one eye, one arm and one leg".

This view was contradicted by a round robin of my cricketing cronies, which produced the unanimous view that "Nelson" came into being because the great man was believed to possess only one eye, one arm and one ball. Of course, both explanations are fallacious, since the Admiral was quite intact from the waist down. The ignorance of the cricketing fraternity on any topic unrelated to their beloved pastime will come as little surprise to anyone who has spent much time listening to the persiflage of the radio commentary team. With the exception of Christopher Martin-Jenkins (and, before him, the great Arlott), they are all as innocent about non-cricketing matters as babes in arms. For their benefit, the facts concerning the permanent injuries of Britain's greatest naval commander are that he lost the sight of his right eye during the siege of Calvi, Corsica, in 1793 and had his right arm amputated during an expedition to Santa Cruz, Spain, in 1797, before being declared "all out" at Trafalgar in 1805.

Though few of us possess the Chelsea tea service or William & Mary dresser which guarantees a spot on the Antiques Roadshow, virtually every house in Britain contains one or two old dolls - and we all know how much they're going for. "One day," we murmur to ourselves, "it's off to Sotheby's." Don't count your chickens. According to a report in last week's New Scientist, "a deadly plague is sweeping through collections of antique plastic dolls dating from the Forties and Fifties." Apparently, the disease is highly contagious - symptoms include brown tears and misshapen heads - and the best treatment is a good wash with soapy water - but for many toys it's already too late. All very sad - but at least it may curtail the cooing ("Oh, isn't she adorable?") of the Antiques Roadshow's expert in this field, one Bunny Campione.

On the other hand, this dolly disaster may have the unfortunate consequence of provoking Hugh Scully, the show's oyster-eyed compere, into imitating his counterpart on The Food and Drink Programme - the well- fed Chris Kelly - by introducing each edition with a scare-of-the-week item, adopting a serious voice and deeply concerned expression specially for the purpose. After deadly dollies, there could be contagious chiffoniers, noxious netsuke, infectious sconces... The wise opinion of Bingo Little, expressed in Jeeves and the Old School Chum (1930) remains as true as ever: "This business of schoolgirl friendships beats me. Hypnotic is the only word. I can't understand it. Men aren't like that." Mrs W maintains strong ties with one or two specimens of the genre, bosom buddies since the days when they had no bosoms. Usually located in distant spots such as Aberystwyth or Penzance, they occasionally descend on Weasel Villas for a sherry-drenched reunion.

Dressed in shapeless woollen garments and sensible sandals, they drone on interminably about the joys and anxieties of motherhood, breaking off occasionally to draw Mrs W's attention to various shortcomings in the appearance and behaviour of their reluctant host. A story I heard recently underlined the power of this lifelong cement between females, and how early it can set. Some acquaintances of mine have just returned from a month-long foreign holiday, where they were accompanied by their son and daughter. In fact, it was the daughter who initiated this excursion. Following the departure of her best schoolfriend when this pal's family moved abroad, she retained the bond via a series of lengthy phone calls. Eventually, an invitation for an extended Easter vacation arrived. The destination? Abu Dhabi. And the age of the young ladies who were thereby reunited? Four. Cynical hacks made much of the news that Teresa Gorman, MP, mistaking a bowl of temptingly-wrapped prophylactics for sweets at her local hairdressers in Billericay, spent a while unhappily masticating a rubber sheath before realising her error. Yet a sojourn in a Greenwich pub made me realise that such a misapprehension might be quite easy to make.

Required to make a call to the gents, I found a machine dispensing these intimate items in an enticing range of flavours. Mainly they were imbued with the traditional mainstays of British confectionery - banana, rhubarb & custard, chocolate, ice-cream (presumably vanilla), pineapple & peach, liquorice, mint and coconut. There was also a selection of alcoholic beverages - lager & lime, champagne and whisky - along with a single savoury, in the form of curry. Not that you could choose which flavours you preferred. On payment of pounds 1, the machine delivered a random miscellany of two flavours. Or, at least, it was supposed to. A friend of mine (who displayed a somewhat unwholesome interest in my discovery) inserted his coin as directed and received, in the time-honoured fashion of vending machines, precisely nothing. Quizzed following her visit to the distaff loo, Mrs W revealed that the prophylactic machine in there sold only sensible, flavour-free Mates, in contrast to the tangy versions purchased by optimistic males. Come to think of it, flavoured condoms seem unexpected articles to find lying around in bowls in a ladies' hair salon.

Certainly, Mrs W says she has never encountered them during her regular visits to the crimpers of south London. Without wanting to hint at the slightest tinge of vulgarity in the womenfolk of Essex, could it be that the peroxide parlour patronised by Mrs Gorman is not quite out of the top drawer? More about: December 20, 2011 The Outside Edge , Third Man Cricket I have to be very honest, I have been watching cricket for the last 25 years now and from my introduction to the sport, I soon became accustomed to the dreaded term “Nelson”. All I knew back then is that if a team/batsman is on 111, this is deemed unlucky but why? I did not really understand the essence and significance of this, which we will take a closer look at below! Horatio "Nelson" - The man behind all the superstition Horatio Nelson was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napolenic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of decisive naval victories.

Of his several victories, the best known and most notable was the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, during which he was shot and killed. Why 111? The term was invented in the belief that Lord Nelson was unlucky enough to have had only one eye, one arm and one leg due to wounds he sustained in combat. Nelson wasn’t quite this unfortunate though as he actually had two legs, leading cricket pundits to believe he may have been missing another body part from below the waist. Another school of thought suggests the number signifies the flag officer’s three great naval victories, Copenhagen, the Nile and Trafalgar. Thus giving us won-won-won (ie. one one one). Some even say that “111” may be considered unlucky because the number resembles a wicket without bails. The late David Shepherd umpiring with the scores on 111 It is thought by the superstitious that bad things happen on that score, although an investigation by the magazine The Cricketer in the 1990’s found that wickets are no more likely to fall on Nelson and indeed, the score at which most wickets fall is 0 (a duck).

The equivalent superstitious number in Australian cricket is 87, or the “Devil’s Number”, 13 shy of 100. Statistics have shown that more Australian batsmen are in fact dismissed on the surrounding numbers. There is an old Gloucestershire superstition that when a team/batsman is on 111, in order to avoid a dismissal on the next ball, all the team, except the batsman (of course), must have their feet off the ground. One of the joys of previous cricket seasons was observing the late test umpire David Shepherd, a man of generous proportions, attempting to keep at least one leg off the ground while the game is stuck on this score, in order to alleviate its malign effect. I hope more umpires follow this practice because even though its roots may not be fully known, it’s tradition like these that makes the game of cricket so unique and special. We all still remember the events that unfolded during the recent 1st test match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands.

Most can be blamed on the pitch and some on silly shot selection but how bizarre was it when South Africa needed 111 runs to win at exactly 11:11 on the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011. With the stadium in good spirits smelling this remarkable come from behind victory, Cricket South Africa asked all the fans in the crowd to stand on one leg for the duration of that minute. With the healthy Newlands crowd hopping about, umpire Ian Gould got into the spirit too. Nelson strikes again! That surely was memorable but that will not come close to my favorite Nelson moment been the 1994 Sydney test victory by South Africa. Trying to topple the dominant Aussies back then and with skipper Kepler Wessels injured and off the field, Hansie Cronje led his team to an unlikely victory. Only defending 117, the Proteas, led by Fanie DeVilliers 10 wicket match haul, dismissed the Aussies with the score on 111 on the final day. Alan Donald calling it the best test match he had ever played in! What’s your favorite Nelson moment?

Share this post ABOUT The Author I have been watching this beautiful sport since the age of 6 at Kingsmead in Durban. Introduced to cricket by my dad who was an avid fan of the Banana Boys, our Natal team back then who groomed the great talents of Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener. Having been restricted to only domestic cricket due to South Africa's isolation from competing on the international stage, I will always remember the great matches played by Natal as well as the rebel tours to South Africa most notably the Kim Hughes and Mike Gatting touring sides. In November 1991, at the tender age of 11, there stood an unforgettable moment in my young life when Clive Rice proudly walked out the Proteas into a packed Eden Gardens in Calcutta to play it's first post-isolation one day game. Boy, has it been a topsy-turvey ride with the Proteas for the next quarter century!

I'm a die hard South African cricket supporter and when they one day lift a cricket world cup, I'll be the proudest man alive knowing I boarded this journey from the very start, the ride has been bumpy with many obstacles, alot of passengers departed along the way, we have had different individuals driving this vehicle all with their own pre-defined routes on how to get there, we have been laughed at by many pedestrians along the route but how sweet it is going to be when we finally reach our destination together! copyright © Third Man Cricket | Powered by whyIT Solutions A glossary of cricket terms | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo A glossary of cricket terms Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Cricket, more than most sports, is full of expressions and terms designed to bewilder the newcomer (and often even the more seasoned follower). In an attempt to unravel some of the stranger terminology, we have put together a cricket glossary. If we are missing anything - and cricket commentators have an annoying habit of inventing new words and phrases - please email us and we will see if we can help.

Arm Ball A ball bowled by a slow bowler which has no spin on it and so does not turn as expected but which stays on a straight line ("goes on with the arm") The Ashes Series between England and Australia are played for The Ashes (click here for more information) Asking rate - The runs required per over for a team to win - mostly relevant in a one-dayer Ball Red for first-class and most club cricket, white for one-day matches (and, experimentally, women once used blue balls and men orange ones). It weighs 5.5 ounces ( 5 ounces for women's cricket and 4.75 ounces for junior cricket) Ball Tampering The illegal action of changing the condition of the ball by artificial means, usually scuffing the surface, picking or lifting the seam of the ball, or applying substances other than sweat or saliva Bat-Pad A fielding position close to the batsman designed to catch balls which pop up off the bat, often via the batsman's pads Batter Another word for batsman, first used as long ago as 1773.

Also something you fry fish in Beamer A ball that does not bounce (usually accidently) and passes the batsman at or about head height. If aimed straight at the batsman by a fast bowler, this is a very dangerous delivery (and generally frowned on) Bend your back - The term used to signify the extra effort put in by a fast bowler to obtain some assistance from a flat pitch Belter A pitch which offers little help to bowlers and so heavily favours batsmen Blob A score of 0 (see duck ) Bodyline (also known as leg theory ) A tactic most infamously used by England in 1932-33, although one which had been around for some time before that, in which the bowler aimed at the batsman rather than the wicket with the aim of making him give a catch while attempting to defend himself. The fielding side were packed on the leg side to take catches which resulted. This is now illegal. Click here for more . Bosie An Australian term for a googly , now rarely used.

Originated from the inventor of the delivery, BJT Bosanquet Bouncer A short-pitched ball which passes the batsman at chest or head height Boundary The perimeter of a cricket field, or the act of the batsman scoring a four or a six (eg "Tendulkar hammered three boundaries") Box An abdominal protector worn by batsmen and wicketkeepers. It is also an old term for a fielder in the gully region. Bump Ball A ball which is played off the bat almost instantly into the ground and is caught by a fielder. Often this has the appearance of being a clean catch Bumper See Bouncer . Bunny Also known as Rabbit . A member of the side who cannot bat and is selected as a specialist bowler or wicketkeeper, and who almost always bats at No. 11. It can also be used to describe a player who often gets out to one bowler - "Atherton was McGrath's bunny" Bunsen A term used by commentators to describe a pitch heavily favouring slow bowlers. From Cockney rhyming slang (Bunsen Burner = turner). Bye A run scored when the batsman does not touch the ball with either his bat or body.

First recorded in the 1770s. Carry your bat an opening batsman who remains not out at the end of a completed innings (ie when all his team-mates are out) Charge, giving the When a batsman leaves his crease to attack the ball, usually against a slow bowler. By doing this he can convert a good-length ball into a half-volley Chest-on Used to describe a bowler who delivers the ball with his chest facing the batsman, as opposed to being side on Chinaman A ball bowled by a left-arm slow bowler that turns into the right-hand batsman, in effect a left-arm legspinner. Named after Puss Achong Chin music Fast bowlers aiming the ball at the batsman's head.

The term originated in the Caribbean Chucker Another term for a bowler who throws the ball Closing the face Turning the face of the bat inwards and, in doing so, hitting the ball to the leg side Corridor of uncertainty A term beloved by commentators which describes an area just outside the batsman's off stump where he is unsure whether he has to leave or play the ball Cow corner An unconventional fielding position, more commonly found in the lower reaches of the game, on the midwicket/long-on boundary. The term is thought to have originated at Dulwich College where there was the corner of a field containing livestock on that edge of the playing area. Fielders were dispatched to the "cow corner" Cricket Max A shortened version of the game with unconventional scoring systems pioneered by Martin Crowe in New Zealand in the late 1990s. Cross bat A cross-batted shot is where the batsman holds his bat horizontally when striking the ball. Examples of cross-batted shots include hooks, pulls and cuts Dead ball A ball from which no runs can be scored or wickets taken.

First referred to in 1798 Declaration When the batting side ends their innings before all of their players are out Dibbly-dobbly bowlers - Bowlers who are of medium pace, and are effective in the one-day scenario in choking the runs. New Zealand had a famous quartet - Rod Latham, Gavin Larsen, Chris Harris and Nathan Astle - during the 1992 World Cup Dolly An easy catch Doosra A Hindi/Urdu word which means "second" or "other", the doosra is the offspinner's version of the googly , delivered out of the back of the hand and turning away from the right-hand batsman Drifter/ Floater - A delivery bowled by an offspinner which curves away from a right-hander, and then carries straight on instead of turning Duck A score of 0 (also known as Blob ) Duckworth Lewis Named after Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis, two mathematicians who devised a system to help decide one-day cricket matches when rain interrupts play. Click here for more information. Economy rate The average number of runs a bowler concedes per over Extras Runs not scored by batsmen.

There are four common extras - byes, leg byes, wides and no-balls. In Australia these are known as sundries Featherbed A batsmen-friendly pitch with little life for the bowlers. Often found in Antigua Flipper A variation for the legspinner that appears to be pitching short but the ball skids on quickly and often results in bowled or lbw. It is a delivery that is used sparingly Full toss A ball that reaches the batsmen without bouncing. Above waist height it becomes a beamer Gardening - The act of the batsman repairing indentations in the pitch, made by the ball or studs, with his bat.

More likely to happen when a ball has just whistled past his nose or scooted by his ankle Good length - The ideal length that the bowler aims for, getting the batsman in two minds as whether to play forwards or back Googly - The legspinner's variation that turns into the right-hander and away from the left-hander Grubber - A ball that hardly bounces - see also shooter Half volley - A ball that is the perfect length for driving, fuller than a good length but not a full-toss Handled the ball - If the batsmen deliberately touches the ball with his hands he can be given out. Michael Vaughan fell victim to this in India on 2002-03 tour in Bangalore Hawk-Eye - A tracking technology which helps to explain the intricacies of the sport, Hawk-Eye can be helpful in judging LBWs. At the moment it is used mainly for arm-chair umpiring, although one day it may be used in an official capacity Heavy ball - When a delivery is quicker than it looks and hits the bat harder or higher than is expected Hit the ball twice - If a batsmen deliberately strikes the ball twice to gain runs he can be given out.

However, the batsman can knock the ball away from his stumps with the bat Hit the deck - The bowler's ability to deliver the ball from height and extract extra bounce from the pitch Hoick - Same as slog , but most used for on-side shots In-ducker - An inswinging delivery that moves into the batsman very late. Wasim Akram produced deadly versions with the older ball Inside out, turning the batsman - A batsman aims to leg but the ball goes past the off and he is forced to play the ball open-chested Inside-out shot - A stroke where the batsman moves towards the leg side and hits a ball around leg stump into the off side Jaffa - A delivery that is too good for the batsman, and leaves him groping hopelessly at thin air or (as the bowler will hope) dismisses him King pair - Hardly worth turning up if you get one of these ... out first ball for zero in both innings Kolpak An EU ruling which has led to English county cricket being flooded with players ineligible for England but not classified as overseas players. Click here for a more detailed explanation .

Leading edge - When the batsman mis-hits the ball and edges it forward in the opposite direction to which he was attempting to play Leg-Before Wicket (LBW) - One of the game's more complex rules, but at its simplest ... you cannot be out if the ball pitched outside the line of leg stump; you cannot be out if the ball hits you outside the line of off stump unless you are offering no stroke. Aside from that, if it hits you in line, the only decision the umpire has to make is whether the ball is going on to hit the stumps. Leg-bye - When the ball deflects off the pad and the batsmen run. A shot must be offered to the ball. Leg-byes do not count against the bowler Leg-break/spin - When the ball pitches and turns from leg to off for a right-hander Leg-cutter - A ball which cuts and moves away from the batsman towards the offside (if he is a righthander) Leg-side - The area of the pitch behind the batsman's legs Length Where the ball pitches down the wicket.

Lengths can be generally short, full or good Lifter - A ball that rises unexpectedly Line - The line of attack the bowler employs when he is bowling Lollipop - A really easy ball to hit - a 'gift' Long hop - a ball which pitches short, sits up and 'begs' to be hit Loop - The flight of the ball Maiden - An over where no runs that are attributable to the bowler are scored (byes or leg-byes may be scored in this over, though, as these don't count against the bowler) Manhattan A bar graph of runs scored per over which resembles the Manhattan skyscrapers skyline Mankad - A term popular mainly in indoor cricket - but also fairly popular in Australia for outdoor cricket. Mankad is when the bowler brings his arm round and, instead of releasing the ball, runs out the non-striker by whipping off the bails. This type of dismissal is rare - and usually a warning is given to the batsman beforehand. Named after Vinoo Mankad, who twice dismissed the Australian Bill Brown this way MCC - The Marylebone Cricket Club, the spiritual home of cricket at Lord's in St Johns Wood in London.

For the greater period of cricket's formal history, the MCC which was founded in 1787, was the autocratic arbiter in cricket matters. No law could be changed without its approval. And while the administration of the game world-wide has moved to the International Cricket Council, and to the England and Wales Cricket Board in Britain, the MCC is still regarded as the ultimate defender of the laws of the game, a type of Privy Council of cricket. For many years, English touring teams were known officially as the MCC but as the 'great' has ebbed away from Britain and its colonies, so the influence of the MCC has diminished. Also the initials of the Melbourne Cricket Club in Victoria. Middle - To hit the ball from the meat of the bat, "to middle it" is to connect really well. Middle is also the centre of the field, where the bulk of the action takes place Military Medium - A slightly derogative term for a bowler who has no real pace Minefield - A difficult batting track. The pitch is in such a state of disrepair that it is almost impossible to play "proper" shots as the ball is popping up everywhere Nelson - The English superstition that 111 and its multiples are unlucky.

The sticks resemble 111, and is loosely connected with Lord Nelson's physical attributes. Double Nelson is 222 Nervous nineties - The psychological pressure on the batsman knowing he is approaching a century Net Run Rate - A system for separating sides who finish on level points in multi-team tournaments. Click here for more details . New ball - Can usually be taken every 80 overs.

The advantage is to quick bowlers who have a shiny and bouncy ball, but conversely it can result in an increase in scoring rate as the ball comes off the bat faster Nick - A faint edge off the bat Nightwatchman A non-batsman promoted up the order towards the end of a day's play with the idea of shielding a recognised batsman in the final overs No-ball - An illegitimate delivery, usually when the bowler has overstepped on the front crease Nurdle - The batsman nudging the ball around and into gaps Obstruction - When the batsman wilfully blocks or distracts a fielder to prevent a catch being made or a run-out being effected Occupy the crease - When a batsman stays at the wicket but scores slowly, often with the intention of playing out for a draw Off-break/spin - A ball turning into the right hander- from off to leg (from left to right) Off-cutter - An offbreak delivered at speed Off the mark When the batsman scores his first run Off-side The side of the pitch which is to batsman's right (if right-handed), or left (if left-handed) On-side The same as the leg-side.

On the up - Making contact with the ball before it reaches the top of the bounce - hitting it on the rise. Viv Richards was a prominent exponent. Out - There are ten possible ways of being out: bowled, caught, hit wicket, lbw, stumped, timed out, handled the ball , obstruction , hit the ball twice , and run out. To be out "retired out" is gaining in currency and popularity and counts as a dismissal, unlike "retired hurt" Outside edge - When the ball hits the edge of the bat which is furthest away from his body. Outswing - When the ball swings away from the batsman and towards the slips. Paddle - A sweep shot. Pair - When a batsman gets a duck in both innings. Pinch-hitters - Lower-order batsmen promoted in the line-up to try and hit up a few quick runs. Used mostly when a team is chasing a huge total in a one-dayer - the thinking being that a few quick runs will reduce the asking rate; and if the pinch-hitter gets out, the specialist batsmen are still around Pitch - The bounce of the ball - "it pitches on a good length".

Also, the cut strip in the centre of the field of play. Play on - When a batsman hits the ball but it goes on to hit the stumps and he is bowled. Plumb - When the batsman is clearly LBW, even at full speed, he is said to be plumb in front. Powerplay This was introduced by the ICC in 2005 to try to spruce up the middle overs of one-day internationals by enforcing the bowling side to take three blocks of overs in which they have to have extra fielders within the 30-yard circle. The first Powerplay is mandatory through the first ten overs of the innings, the second and third ones, of five overs each, can be taken at any other time. In rain-reduced matches the duration of the second and third Powerplays is reduced in proportion to the overall reduction. Pudding - A slow, stodgy pitch which will be difficult to score quickly on. Pull - a back-foot leg-side shot, distinct from the hook because the pull is played to a ball that hasn't risen as high. Rabbit See Bunny Return Crease Parallel white lines pointing down the pitch, either side of the stumps.

A bowler's back foot must land inside this area or else a no-ball will be called. Retire To postpone or end one's innings, either voluntarily through boredom when you're simply too good for the opposition, or involuntarily and in agony, when a nasty fast bowler has taken his pound of flesh Reverse Sweep The epitome of the type of shot you will not find in the MCC coaching manual. This stroke is played by dropping to one knee and reversing one's hands, so that you can swing the ball from leg to off, rather than the more natural off to leg. It is a handy stroke for beating conventional fields in a one-day game, but it has its drawbacks as well - just ask Mike Gatting Reverse Swing When the ball is 50 overs old and the pitch is as flat as a pancake, this phenomenon is often a bowling side's saving grace. First mastered by the Pakistani quicks of the 1980s and 1990s, it involves sideways movement of the ball through the air that is contrary to your average everyday laws of physics.

If it sounds like rocket science, that is because it is Rip Big turn for a spin bowler, especially a legspinner, who can use the whole action of the wrist to impart maximum revolutions on the ball. Shane Warne, consequently, bowls a lot of "rippers" Ring Field A standard fielding arrangement, with men positioned in a circle all around the bat saving the single Rock Colloquial term for cricket ball Roll To flatten the playing surface with a heavy rolling device. At the end of an innings, the side about to start their innings will be offered the choice of a heavy or light roller Roller A heavy rolling device designed to flatten the surface of the pitch Rope Used to mark the perimeter of the field. If the ball crosses or hits the rope, a boundary will be signalled Rough The area of a pitch that is scuffed up and loosened by the action of a bowler running through in his follow-through.

Usually, this will be situated a foot or so outside leg stump, and consequently it becomes a tasty target for spin bowlers, who can exploit the extra turn to make life a misery for the batsmen Run-chase Generally the fourth innings of a first-class or Test match, and the latter stages of a one-day game, when the match situation has been reduced to a set figure for victory, in a set time or maximum number of overs Run-rate Of particular importance in a one-day game, this is the average number of runs scored per over, and is used as a guide to a team's progress (see Duckworth Lewis ) Run-up The preparatory strides taken by a bowler as they steady themselves for delivery. Also the area in which they perform said action Runner A player who is called upon by a batsman who might otherwise need to retire hurt . He is required to wear the same padding and stands at square leg or the non-striker's end to perform the duty of running between the wickets.

Often the cause of endless confusion and inevitable run-outs Sandshoe crusher Colloquial term for Yorker , a full-pitched delivery that is aimed at the batsman's toes and usually hits them aswell Seam The ridge of stitching that holds the two halves of a ball together, and causes deviation off the pitch when the ball lands. Seam bowlers, as opposed to swing bowlers, rely on movement off the pitch, rather than through the air Shoulder arms The description of when a batsman decides that rather than risk being dismissed from a ball he lifts the bat high above his shoulder to attempt to keep his bat and hands out of harm's way. Shirtfront A flat, lifeless, soul-destroying wicket that is beloved of batsmen the world over, and loathed by bowlers of all varieties. For a prime example, see the Antigua Recreation Ground Side on Sitter The easiest, most innocuous and undroppable catch that a fielder can ever receive. To drop one of these is to invite a whole world of pain from the crowd and constant embarrassment from the giant replay screen (see dolly ).

Sledging Not the act of travelling downhill at speed on a toboggan, but the act of verbally abusing or unsettling a batsman, in an attempt to make him lose concentration and give his wicket away. Often offensive, occasionally amusing, always a topic of conversation Slog - Used to describe a shot which is not in the coaching book Slogger - Exponent of the slog Slog-sweep - A heave to the leg side, played like the sweep, but a lofted shot Slower ball Like naff plastic wristbands, these are the must-have accessory of the modern international bowler. The idea is to deliver a pace of significantly reduced pace, while at the same time turning your arm over at the same speed so as to deceive the batsman. This change of pace can be achieved by a change of grip, or a late tweak of the wrist. The best exponents - Courtney Walsh, Chris Cairns - are lethal. The worst - no names mentioned - tend to be smacked clean over cow corner for six Standing back/standing up Where a wicketkeeper positions himself for a particular bowler.

He stands back for fast bowlers, and stands up for spinners Stock ball A bowler's regular delivery, minimum risk, little chance of runs or wickets. To get away with a slower ball , they need a stock ball to lull the batsman into a false sense of security Stonewall To protect one's wicket at all costs, putting defence above all other virtues. See Jacques Kallis . Also a gay pride organisation Strike rate The number of runs a batsman scores per 100 balls; the number of deliveries a bowler needs to take his wickets Sundries Australian word for extras Supersub A short-lived experminent in 2005 by the ICC to try to spruce up one-day internationals. It allowed teams to replace on player during a game, but the reality was it heavily favoured the side batting first and was quickly dropped. Swing A ball that curves through the air, as opposed to off the seam . See also, reverse swing Tailender Players who come in towards the end of an innings, generally Nos.

8, 9, 10 and 11, who are not noted for their batting prowess (although ideally they can bowl a bit by way of compensation) Teapot (or double-teapot) A gesticulation beloved of fast bowlers, particularly the grumpier sort, such as Glenn McGrath and Angus Fraser. Involves having both hands on hips at the same time, usually in reaction to a dropped catch, edged boundary or general misfield Throwing To deliver the ball with a arm that flexes at the elbow at point of delivery, thereby enabling extra spin to be imparted for a slow bowler, or extra pace for a quick bowler. A topic of endless debate Ton A century (100 runs by a single batsman in one innings) Tonk To give the ball a good wallop, onomatopoeically named after the sound a good hit makes. See also twat, biff, thwack, belt, spank and leather Track The pitch Trundler Slow, laborious type of bowler who thinks he's quick, once was quick, or is simply old, fat and unfit and needs to be put out to pasture.

See military medium Twelfth man A substitute fielder (and drinks waiter) for the chosen eleven. If called upon to play, he is permitted to field wherever he is needed, but can neither bat nor bowl Two-paced A wicket that is beginning to break up, usually after three or four days of a Test match, and so produces some deliveries that leap off a length, and others that sneak through at shin-height Uncovered pitches Pitches that were left open to the elements for the duration of a match, and so developed a variety of characteristics. The failings of a generation of English batsmen were attributed to the decision, in the 1970s, to bring on the covers at the slightest hint of rain V - in the The arc between mid-off and mid-on in which batsmen who play straight (in accordance with the MCC Coaching Manual) tend to score the majority of their runs. Modern aggressive players, such as Virender Sehwag, tend to prefer the V between point and third man Wagon-wheel A circular graph or line-drawing depicting the region in which a batsman has scored his runs Walk (To) The improbable act of a batsman giving himself out, without waiting for an umpire's decision.

Adam Gilchrist, famously, did this against Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the 2003 World Cup. Mike Atherton, equally famously, did not at Trent Bridge in 1998, en route to a matchwinning 98 not out against South Africa Wicket One of those ubiquitous words that is central to the game of cricket. The word can be used to describe the 22 yards between the stumps, the stumps collectively (bails included), the act of hitting these stumps and so dismissing the batsman, and perversely, the act of not being out (Gayle and Sarwan added 257 for the second wicket). Plus any other use you care to think of Wide A delivery that pitches too far away from the batsman and so proves impossible to score off. The umpire will single this by stretching his arms out horizontally, an extra will be added to the total and the ball will be bowled again Wrist spin The version of spin bowling in which the revolutions on the ball are imparted via a flick of the wrist, rather than a tweak of the fingers.

As a general rule, a right-arm wristspinner's action turns the ball from leg to off (legspin) while a left-armer turns it from off to leg (see chinaman ) Wrong 'un Australian term for a googly - a legspinner's delivery that turns in the opposite direction, ie from off to leg Yips A mental affliction that affects many sportsmen, particularly golfers and spin bowlers. It is a mindblock that can cause a player to forget the basics of his game, and in the most serious cases can force that player into early retirement Yorker A full-pitched delivery that is aimed at the batsman's toes and/or the base of the stumps. If the ball is swinging, these can be the most lethal delivery in the game, as perfected by Waqar Younis in his pomp Zooter A spin bowling variation, first devised by Shane Warne . This is a delivery that snakes out of the hand with little or no spin imparted, and so deceives through its very ordinariness. Some question whether the delivery has ever existed, for it could be another of Warne's mindgames to keep his opponents on their toes Martin Williamson is executive editor of Cricinfo © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

111 runs at cricket known as a 'Lord Nelson' or a 'Nelson' - phrase meaning and origin 111 runs at cricket known as a 'Lord Nelson' or a 'Nelson' Posted by Henry on July 11, 2003 In Reply to: 111 runs at cricket known as a 'Lord Nelson' or a 'Nelson' posted by Ron Jones on July 11, 2003 : I'm told this is because Nelson had one eye, one arm and one leg, but I'm not sure about the missing leg? From the Channel 4 website Nelson - the dreaded score of 111. When this total is reached, the superstitious custom is for the batting team off the pitch (and umpire David Shepherd) to take their feet off the ground. The name was coined in the mistaken belief that Nelson had one eye, one arm and one leg: in fact, he had two legs.

Question: In cricket what score is known as 'Nelson'?
Answer: 111